theorists of all time‚ John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both used ‘The State of Nature’ as a medium in order to understand the basic human nature and natural human rights in their writings. Both‚ then used their own understanding of the human nature in order to determine and justify the ideal form of government‚ its role and its powers. However‚ Locke and Hobbes reach markedly different conclusions. Hobbes argues that every man should concede all of his natural rights to the government and allow it to assume
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part in their government everywhere‚ where it is equal and everyone has freedoms and rights‚ where it’s fair. Unfortunately‚ it doesn’t always turn out like that. There is too much hatred in the world for the government to let us do that everywhere. The government has too much power over the people. Government should be fair and everyone should be treated equally. One philosopher thought that we should be caring and treat each other equally‚ and that was John Locke. Government should be run
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should the aim of government in society be and why?” To answer this question I will examine the perspectives of three philosophers‚ Thomas Aquinas‚ Thomas Hobbes‚ and John Locke‚ in regards to their views on government’s role and obligation in a society. To understand and define the aim of government in society the best form of government must first be defined. The best form of government will be defined using Plato’s teaching’s from “The Republic.” The best form of government or an ideally functioning
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This paper explores‚ in three parts‚ Thomas Hobbes’ and John Locke’s competing conceptions of natural laws and rights‚ via Leviathan and Second Treatise of Government respectively. The arguments of both men follow a similar path: the establishment of the state of nature and laws and rights therein‚ the social contracting to eliminate undesirable aspects of such a state‚ and the detailing of explicit conditions that meet the desired end of peaceful society. Thus‚ the paper will be divided into three
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3/9/13 Thomas Hobbes‚ John Locke and Jean-Racques Rosseau were philosophers who stated their belief of human nature and how we should govern mankind. Although Rousseau was born a different time than Hobbes and Locke‚ they all had a very strong influence on the way governments should function. They created a revolutionary idea of the state of nature‚ the way men were before a government came into play. Each philosopher developed guidelines and responsibilities that the government is obliged to. Although
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke both set out important arguments on the nature of government that continue to influence the way in which we think about the relationship between the governed and the government. Compare and contrast Hobbes’ and Locke’s arguments‚ with specific reference both to their reading of the “state of nature” and the kind of contract that each imagines to exist in the very concept of a governed community. Although each is making claims to a universal understanding of man‚ to what
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of Nature and Hobbes’ State of Nature were that they both had different outlooks on the meaning of State of War and on people’s reaction to and with government. Locke believed that State of Nature is not equivalent to State of War whereas Hobbes made it seem that a State of Nature isn’t a safe place. Hobbes descried a State of Nature to be more violent and a state that people should fear. Locke’s view was more neutral compared to Hobbes’ idea. From what I read‚ it seemed that Locke believed the State
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John Locke and Thomas Hobbes‚ more Locke than Hobbes however‚ have been enormous influential political philosophers for the modern political thought and development of England and the Americas. The topic and phrase “state of nature” is used and discussed significantly throughout. The similarities are shown extensively‚ but there are many differing views of opinion as well. While they both discuss how the state of nature is dangerous‚ Hobbes is more pessimistic‚ where Locke‚ on the other hand
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Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are some of the most famous philosophers‚ which also had a huge impact on government. Hobbes and Locke have opposing viewpoints when it comes to the state of nature‚ which refers to the lack of social structures. Hobbes views the natural state as unsatisfactory‚ believes revolutions are wrong and that nature has more of an effect on someone than nurture. However‚ Hobbes and Locke agree that some form of government is needed for society‚ proving that Hobbes and Locke have
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English philosophers Hobbes and Locke had different sets of ideas about government and people. Hobbes ideas are harsher‚ but reasonable while Locke’s ideas are moral and optimistic. As the movie‚ Lord of the flies exemplifies that even though Hobbes believed humans are born with passion and reason‚ Locke’s ideas would create a much more stable and functioning society because people have the right to life‚ liberty‚ property and to revolt against an abusive government. Locke believed that people have
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